Chapter 5 - Giving So Much Tension

"S-Sir? I-I also have a responsibility to do... even at night. M-My grandma is... sick," Agnes lied.

Its clear on her resume that she doesn't have a child so she can't use that as an alibi. Besides, she really can't go there for two reasons. She can't left her kids and she doesn't want to go to that place. She's been seeing them for a couple of times already and its making her uncomfortable.

Mr. Topaccan licked his lower lip and nodded."Yes, its okay. I know you have to do that since its your responsibility as a granddaughter. Where's your parents by the way?"

"Uh... I was just an adopted daughter and they disregarded me five years ago," she smiled at him to avoid an awkward atmosphere.

He seemed surprised and looked away."Sorry. I shouldn't have asked. Well, you don't have to go to the party. I'll just do it by myself."

"Thank you for understanding, Sir. But if it was held in the morning maybe I could accompany you," Shanne has the guts to say that because its impossible to happpen.

He was about to answer when his phone vibrated so he gestured a wait sign and looked what is it. She saw how he bit his lower lip and glanced at her. Then, he showed her his phone and asked to take a look at it.

"I just got notified by the further move of the announcement. It will be on the next day, 9:30 in the morning. Just like what you said earlier, you'll accompany me if its daytime," he gave her a sweet smile.

Agnes smiled back, forced."H-How about your girlfriend? She won't get mad?"

"Seriously, Mira? I don't have a girlfriend... even before," he let out a short laugh.

Her lips parted in shock."M-Mira? You called me by my second name?"

"Yeah. I want to call you that. And please don't be too formal when it's just the two of us. Call me by my name too, Revo," he answered.

She's did not complained because she can't still get over. No one dared to call her by her second name... except for Manang Sara, the one who took care of her and Eve when they were just a child.

"U-Uh.. If that's what you want, Revo. Then so be it," she smiled back.

Her spine shivers down when she get out of his office. She's gonna attend that event. How come did it happened and why is it moved? They shouldn't have! She will be in a big trouble because of that.

She couldn't focus on working so she browsed on the internet, finding some details about the upcoming event. The theme is black. Oh, what the hell?! Are they going to attend a funeral or what?!

Black symbolizes bad luck, right?

"Agnes. What's that? Are you also curious about that event? Sad to say, we, commoners couldn't attend," Lowella appeared beside her so she immediately turned exited the website.

She smiled a little."D-Do you want to attend? Re---I mean, Mr. Topaccan was looking for an accompany. Do you want to be one?"

"Oh my gosh---"

"Sshh, quite. Its just a secret okay? He asked me to be with him so---"

"Oh my! Why are you so lucky?" She looked at her like she got a biggest achievement.

Agnes pouted in shy."But I don't want it. It's embarrassing and I don't know what to act there. Besides, attending some parties or joining some events isn't my thing. I don't want him to be humiliated with everyone there."

"Come on, Agnes. Running away on some things won't make you confident. You have to be used to it. Its just like in business. Prove to them that you're more than what they expected," she was swaying her hands in the air as if lecturing her.

She chuckled softly."Eh? Its not like they know me. But thanks for the compliment. It made me felt relieved."

"So? Have you find a gown to wear? You accessories, sandal, make-up?" Lowella continuously asked her.

She slowly shook her head in response."No. That's also my problem. I don't know anything of it."

"No problem! My sister is a fashion designer, I can get what you want. I'm also expert in make-ups so I can apply it to you," Lowella insisted.

She looked away in an instant, not liking her idea."Why are you so good to me? What do you want?"

"H-Huh? What are you talking about. I just want to be friend with you, that's all. I don't have any bad intentions," she defended herself.

"We ca be friends but you don't have to do this to me. I can handle it on my own," Agnes replied.

She went back home frustrated because she haven't prepared for the next day's event. That's because she declined Lowella's offer that she should've accepted. But somehow she felt down to herself if she will ask for her help. They weren't that close. She's not yet sure if she's sincere or what.

"Mommy? There's someone knocking on the door. Do you have any visitor?" Kyron asked her curiously.

Her brows frowned and immediately stood up and get out of her room. She gestured her kids to turn off the TV and slowly go back to their room, not making any noises. Who's going to visit her early in the morning? She doesn't have any friends nor ordered a delivery food.

"Agnes? Is this your apartment? Are you inside?"

She let out a sigh in relief and unlocked the door so she could open it for her. Why is she here by the way? And how did she find her place? She never told anyone.

"What brought you here?" she asked.

Lowella showed her five big paper bags and placed it on the sofa. Agness felt a little bit nervous when the toys were scattered on the floor. She's hoping Lowella won't mind it.

"You rejected my offer but it doesn't mean I won't do it. You can't go there without being prepared," she said.

Agnes sighed and sat beside her."Tell me, what do you want in exchange?"

"Just take a picture with Mr. Topaccan there and send it to me. That's all I want." Her eyes twinkled and put her hands together.

"T-Take a picture with him? T-That's what you want me to do?" Agnes was shocked.

Lowella nodded and let her see what's inside the paper bags. She couldn't say anything because its all like expensive, most especially the gown. And she's not used to wear high heels. Even if she had it all, she will fail in the event.

"Wait, who's toys are those? Is there any kid here?"

Agnes was stunned and gulped."U-Uh... T-That was my s-souvenirs.. Don't mind it."

"Okay. Can I stay here for the whole day? Today's holiday, right? I can teach you how to wear all of this," Lowella smiled widely.

Agnes doesn't know what to do and couldn't even smile back."I-Is it... needed? You can come here tomorrow for our final practice."

"But we don't have enough time. Its gonna be tomorrow. You should look elegant," she countered.

Agnes looked defeated. Seems like she can't do anything to get away form it. Lowella really wants to stay. And she will look like she have a big secret if she forced her to go away. There's no other choice but to tell her. She can't let her kids stay in their room for the whole day.

"Lowella.. listen. I have a very important secret that no one knows. C-Can you.. keep it from everyone in the company?" Agnes bit her lower lip, still nervous on how to say it.

She slightly nodded and distanced herself from her."I-Is there.. any ghost here? What's the reason of her death?"

Her lips parted in shock, thinking if she's serious or not. Is she so creepy while saying that and she thought that it was a ghost?

"N-No, its not it. Actually there's no ghost here. What I mean is... I have kids." There, she finally said it.

Agnes waited for her reaction but it doesn't change. Seconds after, Lowella smiled widely at her, which made Agnes confused. She was supposed to be shocked, right?

"Omg! You have cute little kids? Where? Can I see them?" Lowella stood up and pulled her up.

"They're in their room. I'm not sure if they could be good to you. They were used that I don't have a... friend or someone who will visit me," she said hesitatingly.

Lowella nodded."Why did you hide it on your resume? Its not a big deal if you're a mom already. Where's you husband?"

"I don't have one. I raised them in my own. And my kids don't need him." Her voice suddenly changed now.

She couldn't talk back because she just interfered with someone's life. Lowella thought that she shouldn't have asked or opened the topic of it.

"Can I see them?" she asked in a lower voice.

Agnes nodded and slowly opened the door. There, it revealed the twins who turned their gaze on them. And the seconds after, Lowella gasped.

"They resembled of someone!" Her eyes widened.

Agnes' heart throbbed."W-Who is on your mind?"